International Unity for Freedom and Equality: Temple Destruction Larkana

Friday, April 18, 2014

OM Written on Shoes An Insult To The Hindu Communities of Sindh by Advocate Veerji Kolhi and Zemira Eli Natan

Advocate Veerji Kolhi
Convenor Progressive Hindu Alliance
Senior Member Human Rights Comission of Pakistan

"Please Stop these Stupid Games: Kidnapping of young Hindu Girls and Force Conversion, Attacking upon the Temples, and Setting the Temples on Fire, and now the one Shoe Making Factory of Lahore has prepared shoes with the title and design of sacred name of OM (Almighty God). This is selling out in open market of Pakistan. Involving the celebrators of Holy Festivals in Blasphemy Cases. Which kind of impression, the extremist wants to give regarding the self respect, integrity of Islam and Islamic Republic of Pakistan.(this news has been published by Today’s daily Ibrat, Hyderabad)"

Shoe with OM Printed
Photo Courtesy of Advocate Veerji Kolhi

Newspaper Article Daily Ibrat
Photo Courtesy of Advocate Veerji Kolhi

The Accused is warned by the High Court of Sindh to Appear

Copy of Notice: by High Court of Sindh Hyderabad Sindh. "OM" Written on Shoes.

Case Filed 18 April 2014 in High Court of Sindh , Hyderabad.

Advocate Veerji Kolhi

Versus

Govt of Pakistan

Through Ministry of Interior

Islamabad, Pakistan

Inspector General of Police Punjab Lahore

Govt of Sindh

Through Chief Secretary

Sindh, Karachi

Inspector General of Police Sindh Karachi

M/s Rafique Shoe Factory

Sattar Colony, Shah Dara, Lahore

" OM Written on Shoes An Insult To The Hindu Communities of Pakistan.

I filed the Constitution Petition, Issue Notice, and Call on date 29-04-2014

(1) Government of Pakistan, Through Federal Secretary, Ministry of Interior, Islamabad, Pakistan.

(2) Inspector General of Police, Punjab, Lahore

(3) Government of Sindh, Through Chief Secretary, Sindh, Karachi

(4) Inspector General of Police, Sindh, Karachi

(5) M/s Rafique Shoe Factory, Sattar Colony, Shah Dara, Lahore

Show Room No: C/139, New Timber Market, Ravi Road, Lahore"

----Advocate Veerji Kolhi----

Page 1 Constitution Petition Filed in High Court of Sindh
Photo Courtesy of Advocate Veerji Kolhi

Page 2 Constitution Petition Filed High Court of Sindh
Photo Courtesy of Advocate Veerji Kolhi

Page 3 Constitution Petition Filed
Photo Courtesy of Advocate Veerji Kolhi

Zemira Eli Natan
Executive Director
International Unity for Freedom and Equality

Advocate Veerji Kolhi has filed this case a result of a local Shoemaker printing the OM on shoes to be sold to the public in Pakistan. The police allowed it to happen and they did not put a stop to this! The Governments of Pakistan and Sindh did not object! This is a deliberate act to further cause shock and offense toward the Hindu communities living in Pakistan, and it was even published in the Daily Ibrat, a local periodical to heighten their shock and promote more needless suffering. It should be understood that the offense is that this word represents the Divine. The Supreme G-d! The Hindu communities of Sindh have endured the Destruction of three Holy Shrines, an armed threat to their communities over the alleged writing of the name of Allah during the Hindu festival of Holi and false Blasephemy cases filed against Versi Kolhi and two others. Advocate Veerji Kolhi has even endured a new false case filed against him for Kidnapping and Theft in order for these enemies to stop any opposition for them in upcoming elections. It is not acceptable that there is a double standard that Muslims can be outraged at the writing of Allah's name during Holi, a very beautiful and happy celebration of Colors yet find it perfectly acceptable to write the Name of G-d for Hindus, The OM on shoes! Can anyone imagine the insult? Who would place the name of G-d on shoes that His Holy name could be desecrated as people walk on dirt roads? This is highly offensive and extremely wrong to do to any people! This is a threat to the Hindu Communities! This is adding insult to injury after the breaking of Idols that are revered by Hindus of these communities and complete destruction of Temples! What gives anyone the right to do such a heinous act? IUFE will make public every incident against Hindus that is done! IUFE supports Advocate Veerji Kolhi as he strives to bring Justice to his people for the devastating acts committed against them.

THE GOVERNMENTS OF SINDH AND PAKISTAN AND POLICE AGENCIES OF SINDH AND PAKISTAN ARE PUT ON NOTICE! RELEASE ALL HINDUS ACCUSED IN FAKE CHARGES OF BLASPHEMY AGAINST VERSI KOLHI , ASHOK AND NESHWAR MEGHWAR AND FALSE CHARGES OF KIDNAPPING AND THEFT PLACED UPON ADVOCATE VEERJI KOLHI! THIS HARASSMENT CANNOT CONTINUE AS IT WILL BE MADE PUBLIC IN PAKISTAN AND INTERNATIONALLY! EVERY INCIDENT WILL BE WELL PUBLICIZED AND DOCUMENT AND FORWARDED TO INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS AGENCIES

Zemira Eli Natan

Executive Director

International Unity for Freedom and Equality

Advocate Veerji Kolhi

Convenor

Progressive Hindu Allliance

Senior Member

Human Rights Comission of Pakistan

Monday, March 31, 2014

Larkana Temple Destroyed in Sindh By Advocate Veerji Kolhi and Zemira Eli Natan

Advocate Veerji Kolhi
President
DAMAN

****IUFE UPDATE****

"Neodumbalo, taluka matli, district Badin, a child wrote his name on road playing holi "ashok kumar" maulvis putting fatwa on him saying he Has made blasphemy by putting the name of Allah on road which was not actually Allah but ashok kumar and they r also threatening to burn the village

----Advocate Veerji Kolhi----

Zemira Eli Natan
Executive Director
IUFE

http://youtu.be/XRb_ClF5YNc

http://indianexpress.com/article/world/asia/hindu-temple-set-on-fire-in-pakistan-over-alleged-blasphemy/

One of the most heinous acts is to destroy a place of worship. News reached IUFE that the Larkana Hindu Shrine in Hyderabad was set ablaze by an angry mob who claimed the man, a Hindu from the city of Hyderabad burned pages of the Koran. Many accusations are made against non Muslims in Pakistan. It is a way of settling personal vendettas. It is also a way to strike fear in the society and create turmoil in a peaceful existence, This peaceful existence was an essential part of Sindhi culture. Hindus in Pakistan play a large role in the society of Pakistan. They serve their rulers who continuously dominate them, accuse them, enslave them and oppress them, Hindus do not enjoy equal rights in Pakistan. They are not considered citizens within the society so they are subject to every form of oppression. Advocate Veerji Kolhi is one of the few Hindus that is highly respected among Muslims in Pakistan. His work for religious harmony is well known. His friends are many from all over Pakistan and India. He has international connections and works very hard to promote world peace and respect for all religions. Imagine Advocate Veerji Kolhi's shock and anger when he learns that the Hindu Shrine in Larkana was set on fire. He wasted no time to arrange a protest for this horrific act which crosses every line of morality and decency. Would it be enough for the Pakistani Government to apologize and rebuild this Holy Temple which has a very ancient history? The Temple is now destroyed! The people are angry and devastated and curfews are set in place because of the incident. Why should any community be left to endure this kind of an offense and be left with little means to defend themselves? This incident crosses the line with regard to Human Rights Violations! The Pakistani Government is put on Notice! This incident is well documented and very well publicized. All Human Rights Organizations will be notified. It is highly questionable that the Hindu man accused with Blasphemy is guilty of breaking any law especially one such as destroying the pages of the Koran. Advocate Veerji Kolhi has shared photos of the protest on the destruction of this temple. An IUFE Update will be posted with Advocate Veerji Kolhi's statement on this incident. IUFE joins the protesters with full support for their efforts to bring awareness and their demand to stop religious extremism in Sindh and all over the world.